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KelownaNow wants to get to know the hard working, up and coming artists who fill our city with groovy tunes and we’re almost positive most of you do too!
Our Saturday Spotlight series that will feature a new, local act every other weekend, to better strengthen our scene and get to know the people behind the music.
Get to know: SkyWryter
An Okanagan artist with big dreams and staggering motivation, SkyWryter creates thought provoking Hip Hop that goes beyond the typical material obsessed nature of mainstream rap, adding philosophical twists and turns to take you on a journey through his mind.
What got you started in Music?
I've been playing music for 17 years, started with drums and guitar, but around 2012 I got really into Hip Hop and decided to shift my focus from Progressive Metal to Hip-Hop.
How would you describe your music?
Motivational, positive, real, intelligent and most importantly FUN!
Who and what influences or inspires you?
Bliss N Eso, Oddisee, and Black Thought are my top 3 influences for my lyricism.
I draw inspiration from Everything! Situations in my life, or others.
A lot of my lyrics are me talking to myself. They may sound like I'm angry at a certain person but that person is often me. I touch on a lot of philosophical ideas as well.
Tell us about your favourite performance to date?
I just recently opened for Classified, Maestro Fresh Wes and Choclair on their Canadian Classic Tour. That was the highest priced ticket and largest venue (Kelowna Community Theater), excluding festivals, that I have played to date.
I won a popular vote to get the opening slot, which was a big deal for me because not only did Classified choose my entry out of many but, the people also backed me up with the votes.
Classified was one of the first Hip Hop MCs I got into and he has a song with Maestro called “Hard To Be Hip Hop,” which was my jam back in the day.
At the show, I mentioned to Maestro that I knew every word and right after that he went on stage and performed it with Classified. Maestro saw me front row so he came over to me and gave me the mic to rap some bars of the song. That wasn't part of my set but it made my night for sure.
What achievement are you most proud of in your musical career?
Opening for Bliss N Eso was a huge deal for me because it was after seeing them for the first time that I decided to start making hip hop and I told myself that I would open for them one day.
It took five and a half years, but I did it! It made me realize that with enough time and effort I could accomplish anything and that has been the driving force behind my creative endeavors ever since.
What is your favourite part about being involved in the Okanagan music scene?
The Okanagan music scene is pretty tight-knit and it's cool because I've made a name for myself and now I can't go out to any show without being recognized.
Kelowna makes me feel like a small town celebrity, which is weird, cool and humbling.
It's also a growing scene, despite many venues closing down in the end of 2018. I feel those closures have created a vacuum and I'm excited to see who will open the next awesome music venue. If I had the capital I would do it myself!
Favourite local venue?
I always had a good time at Habitat.
Who do you want to nominate for a Saturday Spotlight?
Two MCs that I have been working with for a few years now known as The Peace Seekers. We have an album coming out really soon and they've been killing it with all their live shows.
You can catch SkyWryter on March 2nd at Level Nite Club when he opens up for Vancouver Hip Hop artist, Junk. Follow along with him through his Facebook and Youtube.
If you know of a local band or musician the community needs to hear, nominate them for a Saturday Spotlight by sending an email to savannah@kelownanow.com
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